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Dirt streamed down her legs and swept toward the drain. A part of her wanted to stay longer, but she couldn’t risk someone walking in.

With her hands covering her chest, she shut off the water and hastily shuffled to her clothes.

But Khalani stopped dead in her tracks when she got to the bench.

Her clothes were gone.

“Looking for these?”

Khalani turned to the door, her heavy heart sinking into her stomach. In front of the exit stood the male prisoner who’d walked by her and Elise earlier, a sinister grin spreading across his face as his eyes roamed over her exposed skin.

He dangled her clothes in the air.

“G-give them back,” she stammered, trying to cover as much of her body as possible.

To her surprise, he tossed her clothes just out of reach. But he didn’t leave. He crossed his arms, watching as she scrambled toput the white jumpsuit on as quickly as possible.

“Where did you say you were from?” he asked, a sadistic gleam in his eyes.

“I didn’t.” Her heart raced as she zipped up her uniform with trembling hands.

“You have a strange accent.” The man cocked his head, focusing his startling grey eyes on her.

“I’m from the slums,” Khalani replied in a panicky rasp, getting her arms through the sleeves.

Get out of there.

Get out of there.

“The slums, eh?” The prisoner took another step forward, invading her space. Her thoughts. “Can’t say I remember seeing you. And I know everyone in Hermes.”

“Well, you know what they say. Big place. Easy to get lost in.”

“Not really.”

Finally managing to pull on her uniform, she straightened, looking for the exit. He stood directly in her path.

“Get out of my way.”

“Why?” The prisoner tilted his head as if he were genuinely confused.

“Because I’m leaving,” she declared, eyeing the door he was still blocking.

“I saw the way you were looking at me earlier. I’ve been down here so long, and I know you want this just as much as I do.”

“You’re insane,” she hissed, inching ever so slightly to the right.

“Don’t worry, darling.” He smiled gently. “I have my men guarding the exit. No one’s going to bother us. I can make this quick and easy for you.”

Her chest heaved rapidly as the edges of her vision narrowed, honing in on the door.

Just a few more steps.

The prisoner moved a fraction closer, his gut nearly touching her.

That was when Khalani bolted around him.

She raced to the exit, yanking on the door handle. But it was locked.